The campaign finance figures are in for candidates who want to be elected U.S. Senator next year. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports they show a close fundraising contest between two of the candidates.
Former Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, has raised more than $649,000 for his U.S. Senate bid. But Dale Butland, a spokesman for Strickland's primary opponent, Cincinnati City Council member P.G. Sittenfield, said Strickland's numbers tell a story.
"Gov. Strickland raised $100,000 less during the first quarter than cid P.G. Sittenfeld, who is running statewide for the first time," Butland said.
A spokesman for Strickland, Dennis Willard, said it's important to remember one thing.
"Ted Strickland got into the race in late February, so there was a short period of time," Willard said. "But if you'll notice, we were able to raise nearly a half a million dollars in just the two weeks prior to the filing deadline."
Neither Strickland or Sittenfeld , however, are close to the amount that Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman has in his campaign war chest. His spokesman, Corry Bliss, in a written statement, noted Portman raised $2.75 million during the first quarter, giving him about $8 million cash on hand.